About

Our Proclamation of Values

LISTEN is a grassroots community organisation that exists to initiate and foster change in Australian music. LISTEN seeks to promote the visibility and experiences of people who have been excluded and under-represented across the music industry, including women, gender non-conforming and LGBTQIA+ people, people of colour, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities and other marginalised groups.

LISTEN presents live music showcase events, community discussions, panels, workshops, and conference events. LISTEN also utilises online and print media to document and promote the work of marginalised people in the music industry, to share experiences, opinion pieces, musical ideas, paraphernalia and mix-tapes. In the past LISTEN has also ran an offshoot independent record label, Listen Records.

A not for profit and entirely volunteer-run organisation, LISTEN seeks to spark conversation, initiate change, and celebrate equal participation in the music industry. This outcome is one we aim to facilitate in whatever way the community believes effective and appropriate, and we encourage engagement with anyone who is enthused and inspired to do so.

LISTEN is dedicated to a continued emphasis on a breadth of diversity in Australian music scenes. 

LISTEN operates on the stolen and unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, and donates 10% of all money raised through its events and conferences to the Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance.

LISTEN values: Justice, Intersectionality, Education, Inquiry, Innovation, Interconnection, Inclusion, Honesty, Respect and Compassion.

How LISTEN Began

In 2014, Melbourne-based musician, Evelyn Morris got a little fed up with the tired, exclusionary conversations related to gender and music and posted their thoughts online.  A huge groundswell of interest in continuing the conversation surfaced, and LISTEN was conceived.

Years later, there are several rotating core members who contribute to LISTEN’s organisation, activism, mentoring, ideology, events, publishing, scouting for contributors, archiving presentation and more.  This dynamic team is committed to bringing a justice-oriented perspective and critical thinking into music in Australia, and allowing the conversation to grow and change however it needs to.

Membership

A large part of the LISTEN project is to spark conversation and allow musicians and others involved in the music industry to connect. If you would like to become involved in LISTEN projects, curate a LISTENING Party, or contribute in some other way, please get in touch.

Mentors

For those who would like a little more guidance, be it putting together a piece for submission, or navigating the music world in general, we’d like to help. Contact us for more information about mentorship through LISTEN.

Resources

We have compiled a list of services and resources here.